Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
Last fall, when Emily and I got a cat, a friend at work told me that she once had a cat that she loved very much. She said that once it died she never got another one. It was simply too painful for her to get a pet knowing that she would likely out-live it. I had animals around my house when I was growing up--cats and dogs--but I haven't owned one as an adult. But in no time, I've grown attached to our charming little cat, Tashi. I had to board her at the vet's late last week before I trooped up to Vermonth to meet-up with Emily at her folks' place for the weekend. I asked to see the vet where Tashi would be staying and was shown to the basement where the boarding animals stay. Dude, I had to hold back the tears, and when I got home, I burst-out bawling like a baby.
Loss has been foremost on my mind recently. My dad had a heart attack one month ago and he died the following day. I miss him dearly.
I've been thinking about ol' Bernie Williams this weekend, about how much I'm going to miss him--that is to say, if he's really gone. It's not so much his production, or lack thereof, that I'll miss, but him. Of course, I don't know him personally, but I've watched the majority of his big league games and have grown accustomed to his face, his swing, his mannerisms, his gestures. It isn't the big things but the nuances, the details.
I love the continuity baseball offers. Each year, guys get too old and retire, while new guys come up and offer us something new to admire. If you've been a fan for a long time--as most of us have been--you see the professional life and death of many players. Sometimes, it is soothing to see a familiar face just because they are familiar, and nothing else. I thought of this last week when I read that Steve Trachsel was signed by the Orioles. I find his games almost intolerable to watch, he pitches so damn slowly. Otherwise I have no particular feelings about him. But I am used to him. Knowing that there is a chance that, months from now, in the middle of summer, he'll be involved in one of those agonizing Yankee-Oriole, four-hour-plus slugfests, is strangely comforting.
Tashi will appreciate it.
I think my next cat will be named Fernando (if he's oveweight and rolls his eyes toward the ceiling a lot).
http://bronxcomix.blogspot.com/
I was actually at the Stadium the day he made his mlb debut. I didn't know who he was, but I remember his very first big league hit and the subsequent message flashing across the jumbotron.
Later on, after the game, my brother and I were hanging around the press gate hoping to get autographs. I, of course, was really waiting for Mattingly when Bernie walked out with Roberto Kelly. Nobody said anything to him and he quietly slipped away to the parking lot. I overheard a man standing near me say, "Hey, that's that new kid, Bernie Williams."
If only we had known then what we know now...
Nice work!
Go Knuckles!
We have to appreciate every Yankee game we watch, because someday Jetes, Bernie and Mo won't be suiting up for the Bombers anymore, and we will miss them dearly.
Great work, Knuckles. As you say, most angles about blogging the Yankees are being covered, so kudos for the creativity. Looking forward to more...
Hang in there.
Get back, Bernie. Get back to where you once belonged.
nice, very nice...keep up to good work.
"Same old story: Carl Pavano spent much of the winter working with a personal trainer in Arizona, but he bailed out of several drills late in the workout complaining of "heavy legs," according to Yankees manager Joe Torre. Pavano still is scheduled to throw his bullpen session today."
Well, the NEW Pavano did't last very long, did it?
I don't care if doesn't let anyone on base for the whole of spring training. That guy has to go.
And thx for all the positive responses to my entry into the blogosphere. I was playing around with my (fairly) new iMac this weekend, resolving to start taking advantage of the fact that it's an Apple, and not a PC, and came across that sweet Comic Life program. In the words of Michael Scott, I had an epiphery. Hoping to update it 4-5 times a week, and really looking forward to incorporating my own spring training photos after I get back from Tampa in a couple weeks.
http://tinyurl.com/255wfd
Fuck Carl Pavano. Fuck him right in the ear.
You know what? Don't trade him. Keep him on the team for the next two years, on the bench. Make him the ball boy. Make sure he never pitches anywhere else every again.
"Heavy legs" my ass. Fuck that guy.
Just cannot believe the ado. Wish more people were up in arms about the black bands for a guy whose playing time didn't earn him a sympathy card or a flag flown at half mast. Commmme onnnn nowww. Cory and his teacher were joy riding over the city. Many people could have died as a result of their daredeviling.
When I see the memento, what am I supposed to reflect upon? I mean, like what did the guy do that I should be thinking about? Did he win a big game? Throw a no-no? Strike out the side? Donate a kidney? Break the color barrier?
Why not wear a band to honor Hank Bauer or Buck O'Oneil?
Not to change the subject too drastically, but the Unit should hope he doesn't make the All-Star team and have to be announced at the Stadium, eh.
"When he was first asked about Jeter, Rodriguez said this would be the only time he would address the topic.
"Let's make a contract: You don't ask me about Derek anymore, and I promise I'll stop lying to all you guys," A-Rod told reporters."
Very interesting.
IIRC, I think I read in the Bill James Historical Abstract that Tinkers, Evers 7 Chance didn't speak to each other for years.
Oh, and good job Knuckles.
The best quote: When asked - "Why now?", the reply: "It's time to cut the bullshit."
Unfortuntely it's going to all live for another day since Jeter and Torre had already left Legends Field.
Man I hope he gets it together this year, gets a ring, and all the "A-Rod is not a true Yankee" nonsense goes away. With Phil Hughes coming up I want A-Rod on the team in '08.
When I get back from the gym after I haven't gone in a year + I hurt and need to rest the next day.
He was supposed to remain on schedule and throw a bullpen session today. Assuming he did that, it is a non-issue for me.
Him missing fielding drills for typical aches after exertion is only a problem if it continues all spring.
I'm just saying, I'm gonna let yesterday go assuming everything else this spring goes on as planned.
Props to A-Rod for finally speaking reality - and I can't wait to hear what Jeter's response is.
And lastly - 5 Knuckles, that is some fantastic stuff you've got!
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